METHODOLOGY

No, our methodology is nowhere near as complicated as the musings of one of our more recent talked-about coaches.

A simplified step-by-step list of its mechanism is given below, in case you want to understand how it really works. This methodology below is for limited over matches; it is a little more complex for Tests.

1) Based on the innings totals, a base figure is generated for the match. This is measured in runs, for all players (batsmen and bowlers and wicket-keepers).

2) Every performance in the match is thereafter measured against this base figure (as a ratio). An Impact value of 1 is procured when the performance is equal to the base. That is seen as merely the par performance for the match.

4) The Strike Rate Impact can go into negative or positive depending on his strike rate vis-a-vis the base strike rate in the match. In Test cricket, Strike Rate Impact is applicable only in exceptional circumstances.

5) The Pressure Impact only measures pressure that comes from the fall of wickets. It kicks in when a batsman comes in to bat in a tough situation (as defined from how many wickets have fallen) and crosses the base runs. Tough situations are defined as per the base runs.

6) For a bowler, Impact points are garnered for a) Wickets (the top 8 wickets and the last 3 have different values, in most cases, as per the circumstances of the match) b) the Economy Rate (again, calculated against the base economy rate of the match – in T20 matches, the economy rate has a slightly higher value, as per the circumstances of the match) c) Breaking Partnerships (its limit is set by using a multiple of the base) d) Building Pressure (taking quick wickets within the base).
*In Test cricket, the top 7 wickets and the last 4 have different values, as per the circumstances of the match.

7) Catches, stumpings and credited run-outs all get extra Impact value (a fraction of the base). The winning captain also gets an addition to his Impact (again, a fraction of the base). Wicket-keepers have a flat value for doing an assigned job (which is gleaned from Test, ODI or T20 history).

8) All the above points are measured against the base figure, and are therefore ratios of the base in some way (which is fundamentally why they are measurements and not ratings).

9) For Strength of Opposition – all teams in all matches are graded in categories of A, B or C in terms of team strength (with A being the strongest). The break-up is done in a scientific manner, using the previous 3 series as a pointer, and also the result of that series.

10) For Series/Tournament Defining performances ( SD /TD) – the highest-valued single component in this system rewards outstanding performances in critical circumstances for a team within a tournament or a series context- all picked out objectively and consistently. This is the most key measure in the system. It also takes into account the performance of that player in the entire series where he gets an SD or a TD.

11) In a career context, the figures from all heads are tallied. All numbers are restricted between 0 and 5, up to two decimal points. However, in a match context, the numbers are not restricted.

For simplicity, we change the scale in our match reports (commencing with IPL 2016) and express every Match Impact number as a percentage. The maximum percentage (100) is assigned to the highest impact player of the match. All other players in the match are scaled relative to him. Negative Match Impact indicates that not only did the player not contribute in the match, but he also had an adverse effect on his team’s chances.